British couple lose Iran appealBritish couple lose Iran appeal over spying conviction
A British couple jailed in Iran lost their appeal against spying convictions, according to reports from Tuesday, with the case now moving to Iran’s supreme court.
Their families say both are on hunger strike in Tehran’s Evin prison, and the case adds to longstanding concern over Iran’s treatment of Western nationals on security charges.
Families
The family members say they do not understand the court process or what comes next, and they are pressing for clarity on the case. They also say the couple’s hunger strikes show the urgency of their situation in prison.
Iranian authorities
Iran has treated the case as a security matter and upheld the convictions at appeal. The case now continues through the country’s judicial system, which keeps the final outcome unresolved.
British government view
The British government has long warned its nationals against travel to Iran because of the risk of detention on security charges. Officials are likely to continue treating the case as a consular and human-rights concern.
- Evin prison has been used for high-profile detainees since the 1970s.
- Britain and Iran have had strained relations for decades, including disputes over detention cases.
- Hunger strikes are a recurring protest tactic in prisons worldwide.
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